Each trip is a difficult time, but also a memorable moment about the hardships of the profession, about the deep humanity or the majesty of the great forest.
These days, in the joyful atmosphere of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day, I am filled with emotion when I remember the trips to the forest to write articles about forest management and protection, afforestation, reflecting the lives of ethnic minorities associated with the forest, or simply recording the wild and majestic beauty of the great forest. Everything comes back, vividly as if it were yesterday.
What I remember most were the two times I climbed several high mountains with the staff of the Bac Bien Ho Forest Protection Management Board in Chu Pah district. The first time I climbed the mountain was to reflect on the work of forest management and protection on the top of Chu Prong mountain. The journey to conquer the mountain about 1,200 m above sea level was very arduous. The road to the top of the mountain was rocky and had many steep slopes. To climb the mountain, we had to walk or use a modified motorbike. On the way to the top of the mountain, the staff of the Bac Bien Ho Forest Protection Management Board gave us sticks and instructed us on some mountain climbing skills such as drinking only a little water when thirsty, breaking tree branches to mark the way in case we got lost, etc.
After more than 2 hours of walking, our group finally reached the top of the mountain. Sweat was dripping from our bodies, our legs were tired. On the top of the mountain, there was a makeshift tent made of canvas and forest trees. A mat was spread in the middle of the tent, separated from the ground by a layer of leaves. 3 blankets and mosquito nets were neatly arranged and placed on the mat. In front of the tent, there were many large trees with a few hammocks tied across the trunks. A shelf roughly woven from forest trees was placed on a Barringtonia acutangula tree to store pots, pans, bowls, rice, instant noodles, dried fish, etc. On the ground, there was a stove with 3 stones for cooking. This is where the officers and employees of the Bac Bien Ho Forest Protection Management Board stayed during their patrol trips and forest protection management.
Night fell, the wind blew, we huddled in the tent. The fire was lit but not enough to warm us in the long, cold night. I slept fitfully, and many times, I went to collect more firewood to make the fire hotter. I heard the forest rangers confide that the salary was not commensurate with the footprints of the patrols in thousands of hectares of forest; and the story of someone who suddenly fell ill, was carried down the mountain, and did not survive, which made my heart heavy with thoughts. When I sat down to write, the corners of my eyes were stinging.
We also conquered another mountain in Chu Pah district to record the forest planting work. The people who received the tree planting decided to set up tents for a long time on the mountain to finish the work. Everyone's face was as green as leaves due to the low temperature. Every time the wind was strong, the tents tilted. Looking at the lunch, I admired the will to make a living of the forest planters. Without bowls, each person scooped rice into a plastic bag, added a few dried fish, sprinkled a little salty fish sauce, leaned against the tree trunk and sat down to eat deliciously.
Another time, I conquered the mountain peak of over 1,000 m high in the middle of the sky in the forest area of the Northern Ia Grai Protective Forest Management Board (in Ia Khai commune, Ia Grai district). This place still bears the vestiges of a time of war. Not only is it a memorial stele, bomb craters, shelters, trenches, shell casings..., but under the canopy of the old forest is also the resting place of soldiers of Battalion 631 of the Central Highlands Front.
Entering the sacred and majestic land that was once a place of bombs and bullets but is still little known to me today, filled me with emotions. I wrote an article instead of incense to express my remembrance and gratitude to the Vietnamese people who sacrificed for the Fatherland. This is also a thank you to the staff of the Northern Ia Grai Forest Protection Management Board who did not hesitate to support me on the trip. They, like me, after this journey, had many cuts on their bodies from the forest trees.
I remember one time, I followed a group of people fishing in the Ia Mlah reservoir area (Krong Pa district). A night in the forest gave me interesting experiences. It turns out that fishing is a very elaborate profession. Before going fishing, each person must prepare bait by fermenting the bran for 2-3 days. Everything is loaded onto a vehicle and transported along with a bunch of pots, hammocks, curtains, and canvas for tents. Upon arrival, the fishermen choose a place to set up camp and start casting their lines.
In the quiet of the night, each person chooses a corner to throw bait to attract fish. If fishing for catfish or snakehead fish, they use worms, crickets, chicken intestines, etc. as bait; if fishing for grass carp, tilapia, or carp, they use fermented bran bait. After casting the bait, they gather around the fire to sit and chat. Every now and then, they check their rods or wait for the bell attached to the rod to go off, then rush towards the rod to pull the fish up.
The night in the middle of the quiet forest. Occasionally the wind from the pine forest blew, carrying the cold lake water. My fishing friends and I gathered around the flickering fire, warming ourselves and having dinner. A memorable meal with the products of the Krong Pa mountains and rivers. Two pots were brought along to cook rice and soup. The soup was wild vegetables growing in the forest. The dipping sauce was a newly caught weaver ant nest, pounded with salt, wild chili, perilla leaves, lemongrass... The food was newly caught fish. Some fishermen instructed me on how to survive in the forest, from choosing directions, marking the way when lost, to the types of plants that could be eaten, how to find drinking water and make fire.
There were also many times when my colleagues and I walked 10 km on a trail leading deep into the forest to investigate the illegal logging situation. The path was slippery, steep, and at times we had to cling to tree roots and vines to get through. Discovering the location of illegally cut trees, we felt nervous, scared but also excited, forgetting our fatigue. After taking pictures, we walked down the mountain drenched in sweat.
It can be said that forest and mountain climbing trips are not only work but also a part of the life of journalists like me. This trains me to be persistent, brave and love my job. Sitting and looking at the photos and videos recorded of the mountains and forests where I have left my footprints, my heart is filled with an unforgettable nostalgia. All of these have become valuable provisions for me to continue to devote myself, bringing readers authentic and vivid stories from this sunny and windy land of Gia Lai .
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/nho-nhung-chuyen-tac-nghiep-o-rung-post328996.html
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